Pure anatase and rutile + anatase nanoparticles differently affect wheat seedlings

• TiO2-NPs exposure induced cyto- and genotoxity.
• TiO2-NPs toxicity in wheat was formulation dependent.
• Rutile + anatase formulation showed higher cytotoxicity and genotoxicity than anatase.
• MN test appears to be a good endpoint to assess NP toxicity in plant species.

TiO2-nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are increasingly released to the environment. The present work investigates the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and uptake of TiO2-NPs in Triticum aestivum. Wheat seeds were exposed to 5–150 mg L−1 of anatase (ana) or rutile + anatase (rut + ana) TiO2-NPs for 5 d. After exposure, germination and growth rates were determined. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated by changes in the cell cycle dynamics and in the membrane integrity. Genotoxicity was assessed by ploidy mutations and DNA-damage, and by mitotic abnormalities. NP uptake was analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Ana-TiO2 revealed higher toxicity regarding the rate of germination, but no negative effects were detected concerning growth. Although roots and shoots showed no EDS-detectable levels of Ti, despite cyto- and genotoxicity was observed in ana and rut + ana-NPs exposed roots. Cell cycle profile was formulation dependent with rut + ana presenting a higher capability to induce a cell cycle arrest at G0/G1. Both formulations induced genotoxic effects by increasing micronucleated cells: for rut + ana a dose-dependent response is evident and seems to be more genotoxic than ana at lower concentrations. Rut + ana also increased membrane permeability. The observed higher cytotoxicity of rut + ana may be explained by the higher photoactivity of this mixture. Overall, these data indicate that during germination, TiO2-NPs induce severe cyto/genotoxic effects, which are dependent on the TiO2-NP formulation.